A DAWLISH tea room has become the latest recipient of an award recognising its help to reduce loneliness in the town.

Daisy’s Tea Room, in The Strand, prides itself for providing a meeting place for people in the community who may be elderly and lonely.

Now, its efforts have resulted in receiving an OWL award from Dawlish Town Council.

The Outstanding With Loneliness awards were set up to recognise organisations which support the council’s bid to reduce the stigma associated with isolation and loneliness.

Since last summer, the town council’s Mental Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Working Group has been promoting the ‘Owl Project’.

Owner of Daisy’s tea room Yvonne Toomer and some of her customers who nominated her were at the town council offices at the Manor House to be presented with the award by Mayor Cllr Lisa Mayne and Cllr Carole Tamlyn, chairman of the Mental Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention Working Group.

Cllr Tamlyn said: ‘I am of the opinion that cafes in Dawlish are a key part of reducing loneliness in the community and prolonging independence in later life by providing a meeting place for lonely elderly people, who often live alone.

‘Therefore, I feel that a number of cafes in the town are already providing a service to those residents where they feel welcomed and acknowledged by kind, caring staff.

‘Also friendships are formed with staff and other customers old and new when frequently visiting cafes as they do their weekly shopping in the Strand.

‘I am sure that this must alleviate some of the residents loneliness in itself.

‘We would like to highlight and celebrate the efforts by management and customer service staff in Daisy’s Tea Café in the Strand.’

There were three nominations for Daisy’s tea rooms from regular customers who said every member of staff goes ‘above and beyond’ and that it is a ‘warm and welcoming café’.

It was said to make everyone feel welcome and staff chat to customers to make sure they are OK and offer support if needed.

Staff are aware of customers who live alone , who are vulnerable and have dementia and they are trained to give special attention to some customers.

Therefore the staff go that extra mile and ensure they have conversations with customers and perhaps the staff are the only people they have spoken to for days.

If you are on your own the staff will also introduce you to other customers and you can join their table if you want company.

Just a friendly café is an understatement.

There is certainly something special about going into Daisy’s Tea Room and if you are feeling a bit down you will often leave with your spirits lifted whether you are with a friend or on your own.

Cllr Tamlyn said: ‘I would like to thank Daisy’s Tea Room for all their outstanding efforts they have put into reducing loneliness in Dawlish.’